The doctrine of the Trinity, central to Christian confession, is not the result of abstract speculation. Rather, it is the result of the church’s reflection on the teaching of the Bible. With respect to the doctrine of the Trinity, or what I call “triune monarchy,” the church was faced with two distinct issues. The first... Continue Reading

Lament provides a pathway for being honest and processing the emotional struggles of pastoral ministry. It affirms talking to God about struggles, disappointments, and hurts. Lament gives us a biblical language that is raw and candid. It tells God what he already knows, but it is surprisingly helpful to verbalize it to him.   When... Continue Reading

Just as the human institution of marriage and the concomitant institution of the parent-child relationship will pass away in the consummated new creation, so will the institution of slavery. In the inaugurated form of the new creation, all Christians, including slaves and masters, are spiritually equal, though each have particular roles they must continue with... Continue Reading

Why bother with spiritual warfare? The reason is two-fold. One, it is evident throughout the Bible, part of living in this fallen world, what Paul calls the “present evil age.” Two, we are called by God to wage spiritual warfare.    With Paul in the School of Spiritual Warfare (1 of 5) Grace to you... Continue Reading

It must not be forgotten that John Bunyan was, first and foremost, a pastor, and his magnum opus owes its very existence to pastoral concern. In the author’s apology – the least read part of the work – Bunyan explains why he set out to write his allegory in the first place. He compares himself... Continue Reading

Eternal Relations of Authority and Submission (ERAS) does not articulate how the Spirit can be distinguished from the Father and Son. In short, it cannot explain our worship or liturgical practice of baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.   Christians speak of the Son as being “the only begotten Son”... Continue Reading

We must be delivered from both original sin and actual sin. The Holy Spirit removes the corruption of our natures by breaking the power and dominion of sin. Christ removes the imputation of Adam’s sin through the imputation of Christ’s righteousness. This restores us to a right relation to the Father through faith. The Holy... Continue Reading

Mephibosheth sat and ate at David’s table. And it is comforting and exciting to think of that at the end of history, we are all headed for a meal, too.   Whenever a new king took over an empire in the days of the Old Testament, there were certain threats and dangers that went along... Continue Reading

This passage answers not a thing about baptism. This teaching about the Christian life was all true under under Abraham, when the Lord instituted infant circumcision. Isaac was regenerated and was united to Christ by grace alone, through faith alone. Ishmael was not (at least not clearly). Jacob was united to Christ and Esau was... Continue Reading

Sometimes resting can be a cover for resignation because we’ve given up hope. Sometimes saying we are trusting is a way of protecting ourselves from disappointment. Sometimes not asking is a sign of drifting from God, unwilling to actively engage him. We need to understand where our rest is coming from.   I struggle with... Continue Reading